Australia

Walking back to my temporary home at the southern end of Sydney's Hyde Park, I discovered the Archibald Fountain with it's calm waters in the early morning - the sprinklers were not on yet - nicely reflecting the sky, the fountain as well as St. Mary's Cathedral in the background.

A beautiful view marking the end of a beautiful journey with the Sydney Harbor Ferry out of the City Center. Just before going back I took one more photo of the Opera House below the Harbour Bridge and then enjoyed the short journey back to Circular Quay.

Getting up at 4:15 am to take photos of the sunrise is a challenge in itself but then hiking another 6 kilometers in total darkness and fighting with heavy cloud cover to find that one great photo is a totally different challenge. But luckily the clouds opened up just this tiny bit to allow some light come through giving my a great early morning shot. This spot is actually quiet famous for surfing and soon after the first light was there so where the first surfers. A great start into the day!

Finally some texture in the sky! I have been climbing up to the lighthouse here in Byron Bay frequently over the past weeks but either the sky was totally clear or it was so grey that the background of the lighthouse was utterly boring. But yesterday I got lucky: First a beautiful sunset in the West and then a nice background for my favorite subject.

The sun had already disappeared behind the horizon to the west and I was about to pack up my gear and start the hike back home, when I realized that even though the sun disappeared it left the shore to my north with some amazing light. The contrast between the strong orange in the sky and the dark blue of the ocean really make this photo great to watch for me.

After an awesome day at the beach walking back towards the city center the sun treated us with an amazing sunset right on Byron Bays Main Beach. I always wonder why all the people leave so early when the best part of the sunset so often occurs after the sun has disappeared behind the horizon.

Having taken a number of shots at the falls pool down below I rushed climbing up again to take some more photos of the Falls during sunset. Now, that was a tough climb as the Wallaman Falls are the highest in Australia with 268 meters. Nevertheless I made it and managed to take this caption with the last sunlight painting the rocks to the north in lovely golden light.

While the sun was setting in the west I walked a little bit away from the Byron Bay Lighthouse to see if there are any other nice composition out there. A little bit further down the road one has this beautiful view over Tallow Beach facing due South and I very much like how the last sunlight is coming in from the side giving it this pastell toning.

Continuing the Millaa Millaa waterfall circuit the last one to explore is the Ellinjaa Fall. Walking down from the parking place to the falls pool just takes 10-15mins and you are rewarded with an amazing view of the fall while standing in a narrow canyon that emphasizes the sound of the water falling down from above.

I learnt a new English word the last couple of days: Sandblow. A sandblow is nothing else then a giant dune but how giant they can be. After seeing the first one down here in Australia at Rainbow Beach when visiting Carlo Sandblow the second one I discovered when walking towards Lake Wabby. It feels like walking though the dessert and then seeing the oasis at the horizon.

Making my way south from Fraser Island my last destination before Brisbane is Noosa. A beautiful town at the inlet of the Noosa River with lots of beaches, waterfront restaurants and awesome walks along the shoreline in the Noosa National Park. This photo was taken at the River Inlet with a lifeguard tower overlooking the surrounding beaches.

When I arrived at Agnes Water and 1770 I thought I would stay for a night - now the count is already at five and I am not sure if i will leave tomorrow. What a beautiful place! This photo was taken at the far north end of the peninsula and I am looking forward to more photos at sunrise in the early morning.

Visiting for the second time in October 2014 after having been to the Wallaman Falls already once before a couple of years ago their magnificence is still breathtaking. Dropping down 268 meters they make for a magnificent sight once you made the climb down to the falls pool.

Enjoying a glass of red wine with the rich, famous and wanna be's at Airlie Beach Harbour last night I could not resist to take this photo of the nicely aligned multi-million dollar yachts. I am looking forward to my more budget oriented sailing cruise though.

Lava Rocks meet the Pacific Ocean - This spot at the Mission Beach beach made for such great sunrise shots that I had to discover not being alone there in the early morning but with two more photographes that made it out of bed at 5am. It was worth the effort!

Gotten up early today to be at the Park Hyatt Hotel close to the Harbour Bridge this morning to take photos of the Sydney Opera House at around sunrise. This photo was taken shortly before sunrise and the heavy clouds are painted in this rich dark blue that make the scene kind of surreal.

"Just walk up this way and enjoy the sunset," were the words of the friendly hostel staff who dropped me off with his car at the beginning of the track leading to Carlo Sandblow. Did I expect what it turend out to be? No! I was blown away. The wind has transported so muhc sand up hill that with the beach in your back you could sit on top of the sand hill overlooking Rainbow Beach and enjoy the sunset. Breathtaking!

Very close to the most easterly point of Australia in the Cape Byron Conservation Park you have an amazing walking track along the shoreline with great views of the ocean the beaches and the vegetation. On this particular day in October 2014 strong winds were pushing the waves against the rocks below and made for nice dynamics in the foreground plants while I was fighting to get a sharp shot.

Exploring Sydney by Harbour Ferry is so convenient to get to places. It really is a comute with view. This photo was taken after taking one of the ferries to Milsons Point wehre also the famous Luna Park is located. You can walk very nicely along the water and enjoy sitting down on one of the many piers.

While the sun is slowly winning the battle against the last rain clouds from last night the waves are endlessly coming to shore wrapping in this rock in the sand, which is nicely glowing in the first sunlight of the day.

Going south from Lake Tinaroo through the magnificient Atherton Tablelands I reached Millaa Millaa with its great Waterfall Circle: Three Waterfalls within a loop drive of 10km. This is the first of the three: The Millaa Millaa Falls

This poor ship was pushed against the western shore of Fraser Island during a storm while being towed by its owners to Japan after Australian union workers removed the ships propellers following a dispute about the staffing of the ship. Now it makes for an interesting photo location along the 75 Mile Beach of this remarkable sand island.

How much more beautiful can it get? With the sun setting (actually setting very fast) behind the horizon casting its last warm rays over the Endeavour River right on Cooktowns doorstep. Needless to mention: The river is full of lovely crocodiles!

When taking the Harbor Ferry from Circular Quai to Luna Park trying to avoid yet another rain shower walking across the Harbour Bridge, I was rewarded by this spectacular sight: The Sydney Opera House encircled by a magnificant rainbow.

Making my way back south again I stumbled upon the nice beach front at Palms Cove although very touristy I decided to stay for one night as heavy clouds were coming in and I did not want to build up a tent in the rain. In the morning the rain stopped shortly after sunrise and I managed to get this photo of boats on the beach with the jetty and sunrise in the background.

Walking along the western side of the Port Douglas peninsula you come along a small but very beautifull yacht harbour. If you just continue a little further there is a small sandy beach with a couple of black stones along the shoreline where I took this photo of a catemeran coming back home.

My first walk around Cape Byron ended with a beautiful sunset seen from the hill of the lighthouse. While everyone took photos to the west - admittably including myself - I took some time to walk to the parking place to take this photo of the lighthouse facing north.

A little south of Cairns you can take a short drive inland to go to the awesome Josephine Falls. With the water falling over multiple levels and large rocks in the riverbeds it is a very photogenic environment.

Sydney's Central Business District taken from the Botanical Garden shortly after sunset in September 2014. While clouds make for a nice dramatic backdrop for photos from time to time, I really think it is time for some sunshine now!

Walking in the foodsteps of Lieutenant James Cook my journey took me on top of Grassy Hill in Cooktown in September 2014. The Lighthouse, or Grassy Hill Light, as it is being called was built in 1886 and from there you have a wonderful view over Cooktown, the Pacific Ocean and the entrance to the Endeavour River.

Getting my feet wet in the early morning I managed to get close to some rocks north of the Palms Cove Pier who make for a nice foreground for the magnificent sunrise in a cloudy sky and the jetty in the distance.

Walking from Circular Quay to the Sydney Opera House and then onwards through the beautiful Botanical garden you arrive at what is calles Mrs. Macquaries Chair. It is really nothing more than the northern most tip of land reaching into Sydney Harbour but it offers spectacular sunset views of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

When I arrived at the beach at 5:30 am - 45 minuts before sunrise, I was the only one walking along the 4km long beach but just before the sund appeared from behind the horizon I was surrounded by tourists, joggers, yogis, fellow photographhers, tourists and other spectators. People seem to get up early in Northern Queensland...

Exploring the Atherton Tablelands to the south-west of Cairns i came accross this awesome tree close to the city og Yungaborra. Actually its two trees with one leaning against the other and then the strangler vine growing along the angle dengling 15m to the ground creating the curtain effect.

Getting upat 4:30am was rewarded with a beautiful sunrise behind the rocks to the east of the Agnes Water Main Beach. While the sun was slowly making its way up behind the rocks the wide beach with its low slope allowed the first light to nicely reflect in smooth waves coming ashore.

A long exposure photo taken during sunset from the rocks below Mrs Macquaries Chair. I got lucky with the weather as the entire day had showers again and again but for a brief moment I got rewarded while waiting for the sky to clear up just a little bit to let through some last light of the day.

Having arrived in Sydney one of the first walks I took was across the Harbour Bridge to arrive in time for the sunset at Milsons Point. From there you have magnificent views of the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the Skyline of Sydney's business district.

The first highlight during my visit to Fraser Island: Lake Mc Kenzie. Crystal clear water invites for a swim or to set up your tripod. It is just an awesome place and even with tourists flocking to it you can still find "your" spot.

I have seen more stars the last two nights than I have seen in two years of living in Beijing. Being out of Sydney with only a few scattered houses it was nearly pitch black without any light pollution and the Milky Way was perfectly visible to be captured.

Overlooking the Cape Byron State Conservation Park and Byron Bays beautiful beaches this sunset photo was taken from the parking place of the Byron Bay Lighthouse. I really liked the vivid colours in the sky with the mountain in the foreground setting a nice contrast with its silhouette.

Walking along the waterfront at Circular Quai right in the center of Sydney I discovered that there was segment missing in the fence along the walkway - in all other parts the circle was closed with a plate. And it is kind of funny as it seems almost as if the city has left it undone for photogrphers to take framed shots of the Opera House.

Walking back from Shelly Beach to the Manly ferry you had this fantastic sight in September 2014. While the sun had disappeared behind the horizon the moon already made its way up into the sky. This was actually shortly before the Mid-Autumn Festival, so it was not a full moon yet.

Coming back from the Millaa Millaa Waterfall Circuit driving up and down the small and big hills of the Atherton Tablelands I had to make a short stop on the roadside to take this photo of a tree whose leaves were nicely surrounding the sun when it was just about to disappear behind the horizon in the distance.

It requires some effort to reach it but it is definetly worth the hike: The Nandroya Waterfall. In the middle of the Queensland school holidays I was amazed to be pretty much alone at this amazing place. You can go swimming in the lake, take photos and enjoy hunting some of those bugging sand flies that try to eat you all the time.

In the morning I went to Broken Head to take Sunrise photos and was a little disappointed only coming back with one great shot but the same evening, climbing up to the Lighthouse, I got rewarded wiht the most amazing sunset ever since I started my journey through Australia.

Stiched together from 10 single photos this panorama shot from Grassy Hill in Cooktown shows the entire beauty of this hidden gem in Far North Queensland. With the mountains in the back, the cozy city, the Endeavour River inlet and the Pacific Ocean this is a truly amazing place. Zoom in so you can see the details which will be difficult to see on a small screen: This is suppost to be viewed big time!